A toy is a toy is a toy, right? No, not when it's something that's going to help your tot get the winning edge in life. M&B got Dr Kathleen Alfano, Ph.D, Director of Child Research at Fisher-Price® to discuss the importance of toys in your baby's development. Play is so important. It's the way children learn about the world around them.

For example, the Fisher-Price® Laugh & Learn® range which teaches early academics with the familiarity of everyday play. So whatever the child sees at home and relates to - like a table, chair, phone, keys, pots and pans, like the home itself, a car or a tool bench or CD player. All these are taken and converted into toys with so many possibilities for fun and creative uses, as well as for much developmental learning.

Besides the obvious skills of eye-hand coordination, some of the other things children can learn are colours (identification), sizes (bigger, smaller and biggest, smallest), placement (top, bottom, middle, next, over, under, between), numbers (how many, counting), and sequencing (which comes next). In addition, it can be used for fun and imaginative games and activities. And, last but not least, it provides many opportunities for language development (learning words, making the connections and talking about the above, and much more)!

Toys encourage children to imitate real life. It's important to have toys that encourage children to use their imaginations and develop their creativity and social skills. Playsets with miniature figures, kitchen toys, tea sets, medical kits, pretend telephones—they all help children learn about the world around them by bringing it to their level. Having an interesting selection of dress-up clothes is essential for the same reason.

Toys inspire problem solving. Toys like shape sorters, stacking toys and puzzles help children develop the concentration and problem-solving skills they'll need when they go to school and throughout their adult lives.

Toys invite creativity. Children love to use paints, crayons and paper. Building blocks are essential, too – children love to play with blocks, they encourage creativity as well as logical thinking.

Balls: Playing with balls of all sizes helps children improve their coordination. Ball games are also great for social interaction, helping children to learn about winning and losing and how to take turns.

Musical toys: Children love to sing along with, dance to and control the music, and so a durable, child-appropriate CD or tape player and a variety of children's music are highly recommended. Songs with actions are particularly important—they improve coordination, stimulate the memory and are social, too.

Books: Children should have access to as many books as possible. Even if they just pretend to read, they are still exercising their imaginations and their pre-reading skills. Like toys, books should always be kept in good condition so children learn to respect them.

Here is a checklist for you to use when looking for a good toy:

A good toy…
-is safe and durable.
-is fun to use.
-is interesting to the child.
-stimulates creativity and imagination.
-encourages inquisitiveness and resourcefulness.
-is a tool for learning.
-is challenging, yet not frustrating.
-invites repeated use.
-involves child interaction.
-addresses developing needs and emerging skills.
Of course, it's important that toys are kept clean and in good repair. If you treat children's belongings with respect, they will learn to share this respect and learn that their own things are important. Make a point of taking broken toys out of the toy box until they are fixed. Also, homemade toys need to be monitored very closely because of potential safety hazards – they do not undergo the stringent safety evaluation that manufactured toys do.

About Dr Kathleen Alfano: One of the most respected child research experts in the US, Dr Alfano holds bachelor's, master's and doctorate degrees in elementary education, as well as a master's degree in business administration.

Professional Affiliations:
-The International Toy Researchers Association
-National Association for the Education of Young Children
-The Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development

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